A project titled ‘Solar Bibi’ was launched this Saturday with an aim to provide solar energy solutions to women entrepreneurs of rural Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

During the first phase of the project, the women of the rural areas of Islamabad and Pindi will be catered to. After that, the project will be extended to other cities where women are usually forced to stop working after sunset due to limited or no electricity in their areas.

What is the purpose of ‘Solar Bibi’?

The Solar Bibi project will teach women entrepreneurs to operate and maintain solar charging stations at their home which will in return help them earn a living.

The project is a joint venture of Ministry of Science & Technology and Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies. It is headed by Samina Fazil, founder president Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Addressing to the public in the inauguration of the project, Mr. Ammar Jaffri, Director General (ICT) Center of Information Technology, Islamabad cited a report from the World Bank which state that about 44% of households in all of Pakistan are not connected to the national grid. More than 80% of these households are based in rural areas of the country.

With his team and this project, he aims to provide sustainable energy to areas which are not connected to the grid, specifically to the women because their real aim is to empower them.

A training session was held on from 3rd – 5th September 2016 at PCRET.